A Lashkar e Taiba terrorist was killed during an encounter with security forces in the higher reaches of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, officials said. The operation took place in the Korag area of Yousmarg after security forces received specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the region.
The joint operation involved the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force. The security forces launched a search operation in the general area of Korag as part of efforts to locate suspected terrorists operating in the mountainous and forested region.
According to the Army’s Chinar Corps, troops observed suspicious activity during the search operation. The personnel challenged the suspected individuals, following which the terrorists opened fire. Security forces responded to the firing, resulting in an exchange of gunfire in which one terrorist was neutralised. The Army said the operation continued after the initial encounter.
The operation was referred to as Operation Korag. In its initial statement, the Army did not immediately disclose the identity of the slain terrorist. The security forces continued searches in the surrounding areas to determine whether any other terrorists were present.
A subsequent update from the Army said that during an early morning search in the general area of Palmaidan, the body of a Pakistan based Lashkar e Taiba terrorist was recovered along with war like stores. The Army identified the individual as Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa.
Officials and multiple news reports identified Moosa as a wanted Lashkar e Taiba terrorist who had allegedly been involved in several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Reports said he was wanted for alleged involvement in attacks on both sides of the Pir Panjal range. These details have been attributed to security officials and are part of the information emerging from the investigation and security agencies.
The latest operation also followed another encounter in the Yousmarg area earlier in September. Security officials said a terrorist identified as Yasir was killed in an encounter in the Yousmarg hills on September 5. Reports said Moosa had escaped that operation and that Yasir was considered his close associate.
The recovery of Moosa’s body and war like stores was reported after the initial exchange of fire. Security forces continued their search operation in the surrounding forest and mountainous areas. The purpose of the continued operation was to check for any additional terrorist presence and recover any further material.
The Army’s initial statement said that the joint search operation was based on specific intelligence inputs. Such operations are generally conducted to locate suspected militant movement and prevent possible attacks. In this case, troops reportedly detected suspicious activity while conducting the search and challenged the suspected terrorists, leading to the encounter.
The identification of the slain terrorist as Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa was reported after the initial Army statement. News On AIR reported that security officials identified him as Sulaiman Shah alias Musa, while later Army reporting identified the recovered body as Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa. The differing names in early reports reflect information released at different stages of the operation.
Reports have also linked Moosa to the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack investigation. The New Indian Express reported that he had been named as one of the key suspects in the case and that the National Investigation Agency had earlier chargesheeted accused persons in connection with the attack. Such links are based on information attributed to investigating agencies and security officials.
The encounter took place in a difficult terrain in central Kashmir, where forested and mountainous areas can make search operations challenging. Security personnel therefore continued combing operations after the gunfight to ensure that the area was thoroughly searched.
The latest developments have drawn attention to continuing counterterrorism operations in the Budgam and Yousmarg areas. Security forces have been conducting intelligence based operations in the region to track suspected terrorist groups and their networks.
At the time of the latest reports, the operation was still described as ongoing. Authorities had not indicated that additional terrorists had been located in the follow-up searches. Further information about recoveries, the identity of any additional suspects or the conclusion of the operation would depend on official updates from the security agencies.
The incident also highlights the role of coordinated operations involving the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF in counterterrorism activities in Jammu and Kashmir. In this operation, the three forces worked together after receiving intelligence inputs concerning suspected terrorist activity in the Korag area.
The Army has not released all operational details, including information that could affect ongoing security activities. News reports have therefore relied on official statements and information provided by security officials.
The immediate focus remains on completing the search operation and determining whether any additional terrorist presence exists in the surrounding areas. Authorities are also expected to examine the recovered material as part of the wider investigation.
